Jaap Stam was very complimentary about Bristol City after the game. While the phrase 'smash and grab' comes to mind regarding City's 1-0 win at the Madejski on Saturday, it wasn't all one-way traffic - as the former Manchester United centre-back admitted after the game.

"We knew what to expect - a good side with good players who play in a certain way. They [Bristol City] have a certain aggression going forward and press very well. They wouldn't let us play and get into our comfort zone," explained the manager of the Royals following the conclusion of the game.

"They did it well."

Both teams had good chances to win the game, it's just that the home side had more but weren't able to take them on the day.

Goalscorer Aden Flint of Bristol City celebrates after a 0-1 win (Image: Rogan/JMP)

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This match reminded this writer of the Birmingham City game earlier this season. In that game, the Robins played better than they did against Jaap Stam's side and came away with nothing. That's football and with the way that Lee Johnson sets his team up - attacking, open and with an emphasis on hard work and pressing from the front - then there are certainly more blood and thunder affairs to come.

The stats back this up: City managed just two shots on target yesterday, with seven in total.

Of the two shots off target there were two really good chances: Bobby Reid early in the game as O'Dowda played in the 24-year-old, and then when Reid turned provider to slide in Jamie Paterson near the hour mark, whose cross-shot narrowly missed the right-hand post as Vito Mannone rushed to the left-side of his box to narrow the angle.

Aden Flint of Bristol City celebrates scoring a goal to make it 0-1

Reading easily had double these chances with Jon Dadi Bodvarsson showing that he's not really the daddy when it comes to taking chances in the box.

The Iceland attacker was unable to connect with Mo Barrow's pull-back just before Paterson's miss and then fluffed a golden chance ahead of Flint scoring, as he miscued a cross from defender Tyler Blackett just five yards out.

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The £7.5m capture from Fulham certainly looked threatening and his mobility unsettled the City back four.

Barrow was the pick of the Royals attackers though, constantly twisting and turning, just unable to connect with a team-mate to create any real chances of note.

Aden Flint of Bristol City pulls up in pain as he celebrates scoring a goal to make it 0-1 (Image: Rogan/JMP)

Zak Vyner faced a tough game and though was not tight enough to his man at a few times in the first half, and caught upfield occasionally, he got better as the game went on. The 20-year-old's athleticism will help to rescue him from many situations and the Academy product was still dashing down the right-flank in the final minutes.

On the other side Joe Bryan was out-paced once by Aluko but it didn't happen again thererafter.

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With Baker and Flint's blocks, interceptions and occasionally cynical fouls around the middle of the pitch (hey, that's the thing needed to slow down opposition attacks at a good opponent's ground), the defence looked much improved from last season, and there was Fielding diving either side when the back line was breached.

But at times the midfield was overrun. The Brownhill experiment did not go well. There were fears that the middle of the pitch would be overrun and too many times Kelly, Budvarsson and Aluko strode through the middle of the pitch to drive back the City defence.

Aden Flint of Bristol City scores a goal to make it 0-1 (Image: Rogan/JMP)

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While Korey Smith was exemplary in his use of the ball and Callum O'Dowda carried brilliantly, constantly battling and wrestling for possession in the middle, Brownhill and Paterson were too often on the peripheral, occasionally showing the odd flash of brilliance when City finally managed to find them with the ball.

And it was a similar performance from Famara Diedhiou who once again proved ineffective and wasteful in possession.

The Senegal forward received a tongue-lashing at one point from captain Korey Smith for gifting away the ball when a simple square pass to Smith himself would have surficed. Unfortunately for the former Angers man, the time for pleasantries has now ended. Harsh words may be needed to kickstart some life into the forward who retains the potential and athletic prowess to effect games in the Championship.

Callum O'Dowda of Bristol City in action (Image: Rogan/JMP)

Maybe he just needs a goal to fire his confidence and liven up at the sharp end of the pitch. And that there's the problem...

City need to sharpen up if they're to improve this season and continue to move up the table. A ruthless edge would immediately see them knocking on the door of the play-offs.

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Bobby Reid was once again superb yesterday, tracking back, getting a foot in and winning back possession but he needs more help.

He could have scored with that early chance but then almost produced some magic to feed in Paterson who looked for all the world as if he was to open the scoring, the City fans behind the goal sensing the score too.

In the end it mattered not, with fantastic Flint - the fans' favourite once again - to pop up with a late finish and steal the points for the side from Ashton Gate. But there's plenty of work still to be done by Lee Johnson.